UAToday.net
4 August, 2008 12:38
Source Ukraine Today Broadcast Review, Channel 5
http://uatoday.net/rus/article/comment/47806

Ivano-Frankovsk Region has recently seen the complete meaning of the word “high water”. The area suffered the most from the flood. Governor Nikolay Paliychuk told Channel 5 what has been done in the region for the week to mitigate the fallout.

Larisa Gubina: "Please tell us what are the most urgent needs of the region's citizens?"

Nikolay Paliychuk: "Thank God, the situation is getting stable. Today we have ensured full supply with food, medicines, warm clothes and other things required for survival to the remote settlements. There are 51 of such villages remaining as of this morning but every day their number goes down. We renovate roads, blockages, and break through to these settlements. We need everything I mentioned before – food, medicines, and POL. But it is improving every day as the parliament endorsed budget amendments, which enable us to operate with funds. Many charities and benefactors help overcome the trouble".

Larisa Gubina: "How does the matter stand with epidemics in the region? We've spoken to officials of the Ministry of Public Health. They expect some diseases to break out".

Nikolay Paliychuk: "We monitor the situation daily and have the fullest information about developments in each settlement hit by the flood. By luck, no irregularities have been detected. The identified illnesses were due to simple food poisoning. People came home and ate food in the fridge that had stayed for three days without electricity. As to drinking water supply, we hold the situation in hand. The regional state administration assisted by emergency rescuers and servicemen delivers water by boats or helicopters. There's no danger today. Animal burials in the disaster area have been disinfected and are controlled by police at the moment. So, no danger there either".

Larisa Gubina: Does the region have enough medical staff? Doctors have to visit every house and every family to make sure people are all right, don't they?

Nikolay Paliychuk: "Yes, we've mobilized doctors and safety and health staff. They go to household wells to pump out and cleanse water. Over 2,000 wells have been disinfected as of this morning. After that, sanitation agency permits to consume the water. People work three shifts of course – 24 hours a day. That's why we succeed. You don't have to ask people twice here. Emergency rescuers and police are working in intense mode. We are really grateful to them. Servicemen are engaged too, everybody works. In fact, although it might not refer to the subject matter directly, but there have been almost no crimes in the region".

Larisa Gubina: "How about payments? Is there any funds yet? Have people got first aid funds?"

Nikolay Paliychuk: "Yes. UAH 60m was transferred to the accounts of the regional state administration right on the day of the resolution issued by the Cabinet of Ministers. The funds were proportionally distributed among districts to manage work and ensure social protection. Payments are being effected somewhere better, in some areas – slightly worse. I mean hard-to-reach areas. However, locals of the regions without communications are not determined to get the funds right now. Otherwise they'll just put it into a cupboard and leave there. They can't go to a shop and spend it. For this reason, the money has been allocated and inhabitants will get it in cash or on bank accounts when the chance arises".

Larisa Gubina: "What district of Ivano-Frankovsk Region are you as the governor mostly anxious about? Which of them needs most attention?"

Nikolay Paliychuk: "Well, today problems remain in Galichinsk, Snyatin, and Tlumatsk areas with flooded settlements. The biggest destructions are in Verkhovina district where almost all roads and bridges have been destroyed. Kosov district was damaged much too. Houses are not flooded there but have been destroyed by displaced ground or washed out. A river flows now on the place where a house stood. The situation is under control. But extremely much money is needed to renovate infrastructure to the pre-flood level".

Larisa Gubina: "Today our journalists phoned to the villages from the editorial office and asking what people needed. Apparently, much is needed even soap. How exactly can we give it to them, for example if some of our viewers want to help?"

Nikolay Paliychuk: "You know, firstly, I want to thank those being proactive in helping us. Many people provide aid directly through local friends in circumvention of the administration and districts. And this is good. We won't stand on their way. If there is too much aid in one village, say food or detergents, they will relocate it to a nearby settlement. Vitalina Yushchenko phoned me immediately after the flood and organized provision of help to the victims. Former Eurovision winner Ruslana Lyzhichko got involved proactively. Also, I would like to thank MPs Igor Palitsa, Nikolay Kruts, and Zinoviy Shkutyak that helped much giving material help, organizing work, ensuring vehicles and materials. In addition, I want to thank Rinat Akhmetov's Foundation for much assistance and support it has rendered to buy and provide food. This help is being delivered to districts. Boris Hospital has also provided enough medicines we distributed among villages where people can receive first aid now".

Larisa Gubina: "Still I would like to repeat my question. I understand that many well-known people are helping. But if an ordinary person wants to give first aid staff, whom should he address?"

Nikolay Paliychuk: "HQ have been established in Ivano-Frankovsk. It can accept help and distribute it later or if a person wants to give help hand to hand, we can share addresses of district administrations. Their leaders will go directly to settlements depending on the amount of help and needs of the flooded area".

Larisa Gubina: "Mr Paliychuk, thank you for having found time to join us today. We’ve spoken to Nikolay Paliychuk – Governor of Ivano-Frankovsk Region".